The Forgotten
Part 4
By Maria Cline
A lone figure ran through the woods, an assassin on a mission. He wasn't in it for the gold however, he was in it for respect. If he could kill the Prince of Saiyans and his betrothed, he would be regarded as the most powerful assassin since Tao Pai Pai.
The assassin held up his compass and looked around. His compass was a magical one designed to track down the unique energy signature of Saiyan royalty.
"Soon... you will be mine, Vegita." He laughed as he put away his compass and looked around. "Now... where the heck am I?"
*****
Yamcha frowned as he, Goku, and Piccolo gathered in the libary. "It has been a week and no progress." Yamcha moaned as he flung up his arms.
"I don't get it." Piccolo muttered as he crossed his arms. "Those two really loved that dance. But after the dance... they just started avoiding each other."
"Maybe... they're just nervous." Goku confessed, "I mean... I heard some people are like that."
"Yeah... that could happen." Yamcha said as he hopped back and forth. "So, any ideas on how to get those two back together?"
"Not really. We could wait for a while longer but that might take years." Goku sighed as he leaned back. "I don't want to wait that long."
"We can lock them into a closet." Piccolo suggested.
"We're not locking them up in a closet." Yamcha growled.
"Why not? The forced togetherness would do them good." Piccolo said with a smirk.
"Hmmm..." Goku said as he rubbed his chin. "You know... that's not such a bad idea."
"Wait! Goku, has your brain melted?! We can't lock Bulma and Vegita in a closet!" Yamcha screamed as his flames lit up.
"No... we can't lock them up in a closet." Goku said as he shook his head. "We need to figure out a way to force them together for more than a few minutes and I got just the plan!" He walked out to the side and rolled out a miniature blackboard. "Here's the plan, which I will call... operation Heavy Duty!"
*****
"Okay, now, I know it's this way." The mysterious assassin said as he walked down the path with his magic compass in his hand. He had gotten completely lost but that didn't matter much. If he could just find the royal warrior couple and kill them, he could gain respect from his fellow assassins.
He looked up to see a huge dark castle in the distance. The compass pointed straight at it. "He's in there... wonder why?" The mysterious assassin wondered as he stared at the compass. "I gotta get in somehow."
*****
Vegita punched another droid into pieces and then he paused. He sighed and said, "Goku, you can get killed if you stand too close."
Goku got out of his hiding spot and said, "You knew I was there?"
"One of my abilites... we Saiyans can sense others at a distance." Vegita replied, "Quite handy if someone were to try to sneak up on you."
"I see..." Goku said as he sat on one of the droid's parts and gazed up at the warrior. "Say... you are looking for ways to get stronger right?"
"Of course, I must become stonger than Lord Freeza to win the war!" Vegita said as he clenched his fists.
"Well... Saiyans are one of the most powerful warriors in the world because they had to adapt to the strange gravity in the Saiyan Homeworld. What if you train under greater gravity here? You can get way stronger, maybe even become the Legendary Super Saiyan." Goku explained excitedly as he got up and paced around excitedly.
Vegita nodded slightly as he crossed his arms. "I see... but how can I get stronger gravity?"
"The Mistress is a brilliant inventor, she can figure out a way to create an artifical gravity room." Goku explained, "She's smart."
"What makes you think that the female can invent something like that?" Vegita asked, "Enhansing gravity is something our scientists have failed to do for years."
"Well... Bulma's different. She's not just a great dancer." Goku winked at Vegita and Vegita blushed slightly.
"I am aware of that."
"She's smart, give her a chance." Goku insisted as he walked away. **And please hurry up, I don't want to remain like this forever.**
*****
"Honestly, some parts of this place are a complete mess." Chi Chi muttered as she sat in the attic and cleared away garbage. She didn't know why, but this was the only place that wasn't cleaned or have any enchanted objects.
She smiled slightly as she thought about her new friends. What was it about them that make her feel so welcomed? Technically, she was a prisoner in this castle but she felt more like a guest. "I have to do something for those guys." Chi Chi sighed as she cleared a box and then stared at a small chest with the Fire Mountain symbol of protection on it.
"What is this?" Chi Chi wondered as she opened the chest and saw a strange orange outfit with a set of black boots, dark blue armbands, and a blue shirt. She grunted as she lift the shirt up, it was special weighed clothing some warriors used to get stronger. She held up the light orange vest and held it up to the dim light. It was meant for a full grown man but there was no one living here that could wear such an outfit. Her curiosity overwhelmed her as she searched through the chest and got out an orange sphere with four red stars. "It's... a Dragon Ball." She had heard of the seven sacred Dragon Balls and how that if all seven were gathered together, it would summon a powerful god and grant a single wish. She had one at her castle and Vegita had another in his kingdom. "Beautiful." She quickly placed the ball and the clothes back into the chest.
"Hey! What are you doing with that chest?!" Piccolo demanded as he came up and looked at the woman.
"I'm sorry, I saw this chest and I noticed it had the Fire Mountain symbol of protection and I wanted to see what's in it." Chi Chi explained, "Do you know that you have a Dragon Ball?"
"Of course. We hid it up here to prevent anyone evil from makeing any wishes." Piccolo replied, "Look, we don't like coming up here, it's just hard for us."
"Why? Some of these clothes look like they haven't been used in years." Chi Chi reached into another chest and pulled out a small blue outfit with a long cape that was identical to Piccolo's outfit. "Like this?"
"It belonged to the previous owners." Piccolo said as he lowered his gaze. "I don't want to talk about it. Please."
"Okay." Chi Chi finally said as she placed the clothes back into the chests. "But someday I will find out the truth."
"I know."
*****
"Okay, here it is." The assassin said as he held up his compass and stared up at a huge foreboding house. Something about that house felt strangely familiar and yet he had never seen it before.
He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The door creaked opened and the assassin walked in. He was amazed at how clean and yet abandoned it looked. There were empty frames where there should be mirrors and paintings. "Weird." He muttered as he looked around. "HELLO? ANYONE OUT THERE?"
"Krillian?"
The assassin turned around. He had given up his name a year ago after becoming an assassin bounty hunter. He hadn't killed anyone yet but he would become the greatest assassin alive. He looked down to see a candle holder standing in the middle of the room staring at him. "How did you know my name?"
The candleholder looked up at him and said, "I know many things. My name's Yamcha, the candle holder. Why did you come here?"
"I'm looking for Vegita the Saiyan Prince and Chi Chi the Fire Mountain Princess, I... am a friend of theirs." Krillian replied as he looked around.
"Hmmm... Vegita's meeting with the Mistress and Chi Chi's cleaning the house. I can send word while you wait in the dining room." Yamcha said as he gestured to the dining room.
"Thanks." Krillian said as he bowed and walked to the dining room. He felt nervous for some reason. He looked around as he heard whispers and tiny footsteps around him. Were there more objects like that candle holder? And why are they whispering about him? Did they know and set some sort of trap? Or were they curious about him?
Finally, he reached the dining room where a vast layout of various foods was laid out for him. The foods were hot and they were his favorite types of foods. His stomach growled as he rubbed it. "Wow... looks great." Krillian said as he sat at the table.
"I hope you're hungry." Goku said as he walked to him on the table.
Krillian's jaw dropped as he saw a six-inch-tall toy soldier walk toward him. The toy grinned as he sat down. "Starved. What is it with this place? I mean... objects that move on their own and that candle holder knew my name."
"Oh... we're just unique." Goku replied as he grinned. "So, how are you friends with Vegita and Chi Chi?"
"Oh... we go back." Krillian said, "Chi Chi and I trained together for a while, way back when we were kids."
"You did?" Goku asked confused, "I see... well... I gotta go and get Vegita and Chi Chi. Take your time."
"Okay... thanks." Krillian said as he started eating.
Goku jumped off of the table and ran to the living room. "Yamcha! Did you see Krillian?"
Yamcha nodded. "Yeah, he doesn't remember me or this place. He said that he's friends with Chi Chi and Vegita, but I don't know. Krillian was dressed in all black and he shaved his head. Those weapons he was carrying aren't his style."
"I know... I hate to admit it but I don't believe Krillian. Krillian said that he knew Chi Chi back when they were kids but we both know they met after she married me." Goku explained, "I can't figure out how Krillian would know Chi Chi back then."
"Yeah... remember how Krillian was before he met us? He was nervous and so shy and yet deceitful." Yamcha said, "Oh shit... what if he turned back?! He could be stealing our friends as we speak!"
"I doubt it. Krillian wasn't a thief but we should keep an eye on him." Goku suggested. "Can you watch Krillian while I get Chi Chi and Vegita?"
"Yeah, just hurry." Yamcha nodded and Goku ran off.
Goku ran down the castle as fast as he could. He couldn't believe that another lost friend had returned but like Chi Chi, he seemed so different. He didn't recognize him. His heart pounded in his metallic chest. What if Krillian wanted to kill Chi Chi? He couldn't let Chi Chi die but he couldn't hurt his former best friend. "Gotta find Chi Chi and the others." He grunted.
*****
"Okay, so if I put this gyro sphere under this part, it will create artificial gravity." Bulma explained as she showed a set of plans to the Saiyan prince.
Vegita nodded at the design. "Yes, I saw similar designs when the Saiyan scientists and mages tried to design such a contraption. How do you think this will work?"
Bulma smirked as she turned her head toward the warrior. "I am a genius."
Vegita rose an eyebrow. This was the first time that the mysterious woman showed any confidence at all. She obviously hated her looks but she seemed to flaunt her brains. "I see."
"Hey! Just because I can't win any beauty contests doesn't mean that I'm an idiot!" Bulma hissed as her snakes flickered around.
"Looks are overrated." Vegita muttered.
"Hey! Excuse me, you're Human!" Bulma snapped as she stared at her scaly hands. "You can go out and I can't."
"Actually, I'm a Saiyan and in my kingdom, we are not exactly Human." The warrior smirked, "We can do things normal Humans can't."
"Like what?"
Suddenly, Goku rushed into the room. "Guys!" He called out.
Bulma and Vegita looked down at the toy soldier and Vegita snapped, "What is it, toy man?"
Goku sighed and said, "There's a guy downstairs, his name is Krillian. He said that he's your friend."
"Never heard of him." Vegita muttered.
"Krillian?" Bulma repeated. She remembered a shy monk who left the party early for an important errand. She couldn't believe that Krillian actually came back.
"I'll go and see what is going on." Vegita said as he went out of the room leaving the two alone.
"Are you sure it was Krillian?" Bulma whispered to Goku.
"Positive. He looks and acts different but it is him." Goku whispered back. "I don't know how he knew Vegita or Chi Chi without the memories but he does."
"Go back and keep an eye on them. Vegita may be powerful but I don't want him or Chi Chi to get hurt." Bulma instructed.
"I had the others watch Krillian and Chi Chi. I wanted to get Vegita and you." Goku replied as he stepped toward the door.
"Let's go." Bulma nodded as she and Goku left.
*****
Krillian's heart pounded as he sipped his tea. This old castle was getting stranger and stranger with every second. Objects and animals that can talk, a strange feeling of familiarity, and the fact that no one had ever heard of this place before just made him more nervous about this place.
"Excuse me?" Chi Chi asked as she came up. "You said you came for us?"
Krillian gulped as he stared up at the woman. "Yeah... actually, I'm here for Vegita."
"And I'm here." Vegita said as he came up the stairs and gazed down at the shorter man.
"Good." Krillian had been waiting for this moment for a long time. He reached into his pocket and held up a small silver ball. "Here it is... SPIRIT BOMB! " He screamed as he lunged it high into the air and at the Saiyan warrior.
Vegita's eyes widened at the sight of the ball. The spirit bomb was one of the few weapons that could actually kill a Saiyan. "How did this man get one?" He wondered as he dodged the ball. The ball stopped and flew back at him.
The objects gasped at the sight. If Krillian managed to kill Vegita, they may loose their only chance of being normal again. "Get it!" Yamcha boomed as he jumped in front of the spirit bomb only for it to repel around him.
"It moves by my thoughts." Krillian said as he smirked. All of a sudden, a small frying pan struck the assassin in the head.
At once, everyone turned to see Chi Chi standing above Krillian. "Forget about me?" She asked as the spirit bomb died out.
"Are you guys okay?" Goku asked as he and Bulma ran in.
"We're fine." Vegita said as he nodded toward Chi Chi. "Nice work."
"No problem." Chi Chi sighed in relief as she reached down to pick up a frightened kitten. "Are you okay, Gohan?"
"I'm okay." Gohan sighed in relief as he rubbed his head against Chi Chi's hand.
"Thank Dende you guys are safe." Goku said as he came up. "Sorry for not coming sooner."
"You can't be everywhere at once." Vegita said as he took out his sword and held it against Krillian's throat. "Now I will kill him."
Goku rushed up and put his body in between Krillian and the deadly sword. He knew Krillian just tried to kill the only hope this castle had of being returned to normal and that he had put Chi Chi in danger, but Krillian was still his friend. He couldn't let him die. "No! Vegita! Don't kill him!"
"Why not? He tried to kill me." Vegita demanded as he poked the tin soldier with his sword.
"Because... because we're going to figure out the punishment." Goku said, "This is our house and we do things our way. We don't want any bloodshed in this house. Please, let us handle this."
"Yes, this is still my house and you are still my prisoners." Bulma insisted as she put her hand on Vegita's shoulder. "Let us handle it."
Vegita's hand tensed. In his country, punishment of attempted murder of royal elite like himself was death. Unfortunately, he was no longer in the Saiyan kingdom. "Okay fine!" The proud warrior flung his sword away. "But, you will lock him up right?! I don't want to die in my sleep thanks to him."
"We'll use our dungeons." Bulma said as she smiled gratefully. She didn't want a friend of hers to actually die thanks to this stupid curse. She picked up the small man and said, "Piccolo, Goku, come with me to the dungeons. You guys just stay here and see if Krillian left any surprises."
*****
Krillian slowly opened his eyes and felt a pounding headache. "My head." He moaned as he sat up and realized that his black assassin's uniform had been changed into an orange vest and pants with a blue shirt underneath. His weapons were gone and he was in a small cell with a bed, a table, a dresser, and a toilet.
"Glad to see you're finally awake." Krillian looked around to see Goku sitting on a sink with a bag in his hands. The toy stared up at him with a strange look. Krillian wasn't sure what that look was but he was sure that Goku actually felt disgusted by him. "I was getting a little worried that you wouldn't live."
"I'm still alive?" Krillian asked as he checked his body.
"Yeah, Vegita nearly killed you but we convinced him to let us handle it." Goku said as he tossed him the bag. "I found this in your pockets. It wasn't a weapon and it looked valuable to you."
Krillian nodded as he opened the bag and took out a small worn velvet box. "Thanks. I don't know where I got it but I thought it meant something to me." Krillian opened the box to reveal a small diamond ring. "Nice huh? I can't muster up the courage to sell it for some reason."
"Maybe you need it." Goku said as he stared at the ring. He knew what the ring was. It was the engagement ring that Krillian was going off to get to propose to Eighteen. Krillian finally mustered enough courage to get the ring but he hadn't proposed yet. If he had stayed for another half hour, he would've been one of the cursed objects now.
"Yeah, right, who would want to marry a short wimpy guy like me?" Krillian asked as he put away the ring. "I thought I was going to die. Why? Why did you save me?"
Goku stared at him and finally said, "Because you're not the type to kill. You have a good heart and a kind soul. I just couldn't understand why you want to assassinate Vegita like that."
"For respect." Krillian said, "I've been picked on all my life because I'm short. I thought if I can kill a royal Saiyan like Vegita, I'll be feared."
"You might be feared, but would you be respected?" Goku asked as he jumped off of the sink and climbed on top of the bed, "I'm short but I'm respected because I like myself. I don't do things for approval; I do things just because they are right."
"I know it's stupid of me to attack Vegita like that. I guess I didn't care if I live or die." Krillian sighed as he lay on the bed. "In fact, I wish Vegita would've just slit my throat. No one would care."
"Don't say that!" The dresser cried out.
Immediately, Krillian fell over and stared at the dresser. "You... you're alive?!"
"Yeah." Goku laughed nervously as he rubbed his head. "This is Eighteen, she's like me, only a woman."
"Er... hi." Krillian said as he came up and looked around for something to shake.
"Hello. What was that about no one caring whether you live or die?" Eighteen asked, almost frightened.
"I have no friends or family. My former fellow monks hate my guts so... I have no one." Krillian explained.
"You have me." The dresser whispered as she shook slightly.
"We can be your friends. If you allow us." Goku said, "I mean, I'm way shorter than you so how can I tease you?"
Krillian laughed as he sat down. "I see your point. But what will you do with me? Will I be stuck here for the rest of my life?"
"We'll talk about that tomorrow." Goku said, "You just rest and think about what you did."
"Thanks." Krillian nodded as Goku walked out. "Why do you care about me? I nearly killed your friend. How can you forgive me so easily?"
Goku just smiled and said, "I'm just the forgivable type. Just go to bed." He walked through the bars and away.
"Weird." Krillian sighed as he fingered the velvet box. "I never met anyone who is so nice to me before."
"Goku likes people." Eighteen said as she gazed at him. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I guess I am. I still have a headache from that blow." Krillian moaned as he rubbed his head.
"I see... I'll have someone bring some ice for you in the morning." Eighteen said as she opened a drawer. "You can have a pillow from my drawer."
Krillian came up and took a pillow. "Thanks... you're the first... woman who was nice to me in a very long time."
Eighteen just stared at him. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." Krillian fingered the velvet box. "I better sleep. Good night." He pulled a blanket over his body and fell asleep.
Eighteen watched him for the longest time and finally allowed herself to weep.
To Be Continued...
Part 4
By Maria Cline
A lone figure ran through the woods, an assassin on a mission. He wasn't in it for the gold however, he was in it for respect. If he could kill the Prince of Saiyans and his betrothed, he would be regarded as the most powerful assassin since Tao Pai Pai.
The assassin held up his compass and looked around. His compass was a magical one designed to track down the unique energy signature of Saiyan royalty.
"Soon... you will be mine, Vegita." He laughed as he put away his compass and looked around. "Now... where the heck am I?"
*****
Yamcha frowned as he, Goku, and Piccolo gathered in the libary. "It has been a week and no progress." Yamcha moaned as he flung up his arms.
"I don't get it." Piccolo muttered as he crossed his arms. "Those two really loved that dance. But after the dance... they just started avoiding each other."
"Maybe... they're just nervous." Goku confessed, "I mean... I heard some people are like that."
"Yeah... that could happen." Yamcha said as he hopped back and forth. "So, any ideas on how to get those two back together?"
"Not really. We could wait for a while longer but that might take years." Goku sighed as he leaned back. "I don't want to wait that long."
"We can lock them into a closet." Piccolo suggested.
"We're not locking them up in a closet." Yamcha growled.
"Why not? The forced togetherness would do them good." Piccolo said with a smirk.
"Hmmm..." Goku said as he rubbed his chin. "You know... that's not such a bad idea."
"Wait! Goku, has your brain melted?! We can't lock Bulma and Vegita in a closet!" Yamcha screamed as his flames lit up.
"No... we can't lock them up in a closet." Goku said as he shook his head. "We need to figure out a way to force them together for more than a few minutes and I got just the plan!" He walked out to the side and rolled out a miniature blackboard. "Here's the plan, which I will call... operation Heavy Duty!"
*****
"Okay, now, I know it's this way." The mysterious assassin said as he walked down the path with his magic compass in his hand. He had gotten completely lost but that didn't matter much. If he could just find the royal warrior couple and kill them, he could gain respect from his fellow assassins.
He looked up to see a huge dark castle in the distance. The compass pointed straight at it. "He's in there... wonder why?" The mysterious assassin wondered as he stared at the compass. "I gotta get in somehow."
*****
Vegita punched another droid into pieces and then he paused. He sighed and said, "Goku, you can get killed if you stand too close."
Goku got out of his hiding spot and said, "You knew I was there?"
"One of my abilites... we Saiyans can sense others at a distance." Vegita replied, "Quite handy if someone were to try to sneak up on you."
"I see..." Goku said as he sat on one of the droid's parts and gazed up at the warrior. "Say... you are looking for ways to get stronger right?"
"Of course, I must become stonger than Lord Freeza to win the war!" Vegita said as he clenched his fists.
"Well... Saiyans are one of the most powerful warriors in the world because they had to adapt to the strange gravity in the Saiyan Homeworld. What if you train under greater gravity here? You can get way stronger, maybe even become the Legendary Super Saiyan." Goku explained excitedly as he got up and paced around excitedly.
Vegita nodded slightly as he crossed his arms. "I see... but how can I get stronger gravity?"
"The Mistress is a brilliant inventor, she can figure out a way to create an artifical gravity room." Goku explained, "She's smart."
"What makes you think that the female can invent something like that?" Vegita asked, "Enhansing gravity is something our scientists have failed to do for years."
"Well... Bulma's different. She's not just a great dancer." Goku winked at Vegita and Vegita blushed slightly.
"I am aware of that."
"She's smart, give her a chance." Goku insisted as he walked away. **And please hurry up, I don't want to remain like this forever.**
*****
"Honestly, some parts of this place are a complete mess." Chi Chi muttered as she sat in the attic and cleared away garbage. She didn't know why, but this was the only place that wasn't cleaned or have any enchanted objects.
She smiled slightly as she thought about her new friends. What was it about them that make her feel so welcomed? Technically, she was a prisoner in this castle but she felt more like a guest. "I have to do something for those guys." Chi Chi sighed as she cleared a box and then stared at a small chest with the Fire Mountain symbol of protection on it.
"What is this?" Chi Chi wondered as she opened the chest and saw a strange orange outfit with a set of black boots, dark blue armbands, and a blue shirt. She grunted as she lift the shirt up, it was special weighed clothing some warriors used to get stronger. She held up the light orange vest and held it up to the dim light. It was meant for a full grown man but there was no one living here that could wear such an outfit. Her curiosity overwhelmed her as she searched through the chest and got out an orange sphere with four red stars. "It's... a Dragon Ball." She had heard of the seven sacred Dragon Balls and how that if all seven were gathered together, it would summon a powerful god and grant a single wish. She had one at her castle and Vegita had another in his kingdom. "Beautiful." She quickly placed the ball and the clothes back into the chest.
"Hey! What are you doing with that chest?!" Piccolo demanded as he came up and looked at the woman.
"I'm sorry, I saw this chest and I noticed it had the Fire Mountain symbol of protection and I wanted to see what's in it." Chi Chi explained, "Do you know that you have a Dragon Ball?"
"Of course. We hid it up here to prevent anyone evil from makeing any wishes." Piccolo replied, "Look, we don't like coming up here, it's just hard for us."
"Why? Some of these clothes look like they haven't been used in years." Chi Chi reached into another chest and pulled out a small blue outfit with a long cape that was identical to Piccolo's outfit. "Like this?"
"It belonged to the previous owners." Piccolo said as he lowered his gaze. "I don't want to talk about it. Please."
"Okay." Chi Chi finally said as she placed the clothes back into the chests. "But someday I will find out the truth."
"I know."
*****
"Okay, here it is." The assassin said as he held up his compass and stared up at a huge foreboding house. Something about that house felt strangely familiar and yet he had never seen it before.
He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The door creaked opened and the assassin walked in. He was amazed at how clean and yet abandoned it looked. There were empty frames where there should be mirrors and paintings. "Weird." He muttered as he looked around. "HELLO? ANYONE OUT THERE?"
"Krillian?"
The assassin turned around. He had given up his name a year ago after becoming an assassin bounty hunter. He hadn't killed anyone yet but he would become the greatest assassin alive. He looked down to see a candle holder standing in the middle of the room staring at him. "How did you know my name?"
The candleholder looked up at him and said, "I know many things. My name's Yamcha, the candle holder. Why did you come here?"
"I'm looking for Vegita the Saiyan Prince and Chi Chi the Fire Mountain Princess, I... am a friend of theirs." Krillian replied as he looked around.
"Hmmm... Vegita's meeting with the Mistress and Chi Chi's cleaning the house. I can send word while you wait in the dining room." Yamcha said as he gestured to the dining room.
"Thanks." Krillian said as he bowed and walked to the dining room. He felt nervous for some reason. He looked around as he heard whispers and tiny footsteps around him. Were there more objects like that candle holder? And why are they whispering about him? Did they know and set some sort of trap? Or were they curious about him?
Finally, he reached the dining room where a vast layout of various foods was laid out for him. The foods were hot and they were his favorite types of foods. His stomach growled as he rubbed it. "Wow... looks great." Krillian said as he sat at the table.
"I hope you're hungry." Goku said as he walked to him on the table.
Krillian's jaw dropped as he saw a six-inch-tall toy soldier walk toward him. The toy grinned as he sat down. "Starved. What is it with this place? I mean... objects that move on their own and that candle holder knew my name."
"Oh... we're just unique." Goku replied as he grinned. "So, how are you friends with Vegita and Chi Chi?"
"Oh... we go back." Krillian said, "Chi Chi and I trained together for a while, way back when we were kids."
"You did?" Goku asked confused, "I see... well... I gotta go and get Vegita and Chi Chi. Take your time."
"Okay... thanks." Krillian said as he started eating.
Goku jumped off of the table and ran to the living room. "Yamcha! Did you see Krillian?"
Yamcha nodded. "Yeah, he doesn't remember me or this place. He said that he's friends with Chi Chi and Vegita, but I don't know. Krillian was dressed in all black and he shaved his head. Those weapons he was carrying aren't his style."
"I know... I hate to admit it but I don't believe Krillian. Krillian said that he knew Chi Chi back when they were kids but we both know they met after she married me." Goku explained, "I can't figure out how Krillian would know Chi Chi back then."
"Yeah... remember how Krillian was before he met us? He was nervous and so shy and yet deceitful." Yamcha said, "Oh shit... what if he turned back?! He could be stealing our friends as we speak!"
"I doubt it. Krillian wasn't a thief but we should keep an eye on him." Goku suggested. "Can you watch Krillian while I get Chi Chi and Vegita?"
"Yeah, just hurry." Yamcha nodded and Goku ran off.
Goku ran down the castle as fast as he could. He couldn't believe that another lost friend had returned but like Chi Chi, he seemed so different. He didn't recognize him. His heart pounded in his metallic chest. What if Krillian wanted to kill Chi Chi? He couldn't let Chi Chi die but he couldn't hurt his former best friend. "Gotta find Chi Chi and the others." He grunted.
*****
"Okay, so if I put this gyro sphere under this part, it will create artificial gravity." Bulma explained as she showed a set of plans to the Saiyan prince.
Vegita nodded at the design. "Yes, I saw similar designs when the Saiyan scientists and mages tried to design such a contraption. How do you think this will work?"
Bulma smirked as she turned her head toward the warrior. "I am a genius."
Vegita rose an eyebrow. This was the first time that the mysterious woman showed any confidence at all. She obviously hated her looks but she seemed to flaunt her brains. "I see."
"Hey! Just because I can't win any beauty contests doesn't mean that I'm an idiot!" Bulma hissed as her snakes flickered around.
"Looks are overrated." Vegita muttered.
"Hey! Excuse me, you're Human!" Bulma snapped as she stared at her scaly hands. "You can go out and I can't."
"Actually, I'm a Saiyan and in my kingdom, we are not exactly Human." The warrior smirked, "We can do things normal Humans can't."
"Like what?"
Suddenly, Goku rushed into the room. "Guys!" He called out.
Bulma and Vegita looked down at the toy soldier and Vegita snapped, "What is it, toy man?"
Goku sighed and said, "There's a guy downstairs, his name is Krillian. He said that he's your friend."
"Never heard of him." Vegita muttered.
"Krillian?" Bulma repeated. She remembered a shy monk who left the party early for an important errand. She couldn't believe that Krillian actually came back.
"I'll go and see what is going on." Vegita said as he went out of the room leaving the two alone.
"Are you sure it was Krillian?" Bulma whispered to Goku.
"Positive. He looks and acts different but it is him." Goku whispered back. "I don't know how he knew Vegita or Chi Chi without the memories but he does."
"Go back and keep an eye on them. Vegita may be powerful but I don't want him or Chi Chi to get hurt." Bulma instructed.
"I had the others watch Krillian and Chi Chi. I wanted to get Vegita and you." Goku replied as he stepped toward the door.
"Let's go." Bulma nodded as she and Goku left.
*****
Krillian's heart pounded as he sipped his tea. This old castle was getting stranger and stranger with every second. Objects and animals that can talk, a strange feeling of familiarity, and the fact that no one had ever heard of this place before just made him more nervous about this place.
"Excuse me?" Chi Chi asked as she came up. "You said you came for us?"
Krillian gulped as he stared up at the woman. "Yeah... actually, I'm here for Vegita."
"And I'm here." Vegita said as he came up the stairs and gazed down at the shorter man.
"Good." Krillian had been waiting for this moment for a long time. He reached into his pocket and held up a small silver ball. "Here it is... SPIRIT BOMB! " He screamed as he lunged it high into the air and at the Saiyan warrior.
Vegita's eyes widened at the sight of the ball. The spirit bomb was one of the few weapons that could actually kill a Saiyan. "How did this man get one?" He wondered as he dodged the ball. The ball stopped and flew back at him.
The objects gasped at the sight. If Krillian managed to kill Vegita, they may loose their only chance of being normal again. "Get it!" Yamcha boomed as he jumped in front of the spirit bomb only for it to repel around him.
"It moves by my thoughts." Krillian said as he smirked. All of a sudden, a small frying pan struck the assassin in the head.
At once, everyone turned to see Chi Chi standing above Krillian. "Forget about me?" She asked as the spirit bomb died out.
"Are you guys okay?" Goku asked as he and Bulma ran in.
"We're fine." Vegita said as he nodded toward Chi Chi. "Nice work."
"No problem." Chi Chi sighed in relief as she reached down to pick up a frightened kitten. "Are you okay, Gohan?"
"I'm okay." Gohan sighed in relief as he rubbed his head against Chi Chi's hand.
"Thank Dende you guys are safe." Goku said as he came up. "Sorry for not coming sooner."
"You can't be everywhere at once." Vegita said as he took out his sword and held it against Krillian's throat. "Now I will kill him."
Goku rushed up and put his body in between Krillian and the deadly sword. He knew Krillian just tried to kill the only hope this castle had of being returned to normal and that he had put Chi Chi in danger, but Krillian was still his friend. He couldn't let him die. "No! Vegita! Don't kill him!"
"Why not? He tried to kill me." Vegita demanded as he poked the tin soldier with his sword.
"Because... because we're going to figure out the punishment." Goku said, "This is our house and we do things our way. We don't want any bloodshed in this house. Please, let us handle this."
"Yes, this is still my house and you are still my prisoners." Bulma insisted as she put her hand on Vegita's shoulder. "Let us handle it."
Vegita's hand tensed. In his country, punishment of attempted murder of royal elite like himself was death. Unfortunately, he was no longer in the Saiyan kingdom. "Okay fine!" The proud warrior flung his sword away. "But, you will lock him up right?! I don't want to die in my sleep thanks to him."
"We'll use our dungeons." Bulma said as she smiled gratefully. She didn't want a friend of hers to actually die thanks to this stupid curse. She picked up the small man and said, "Piccolo, Goku, come with me to the dungeons. You guys just stay here and see if Krillian left any surprises."
*****
Krillian slowly opened his eyes and felt a pounding headache. "My head." He moaned as he sat up and realized that his black assassin's uniform had been changed into an orange vest and pants with a blue shirt underneath. His weapons were gone and he was in a small cell with a bed, a table, a dresser, and a toilet.
"Glad to see you're finally awake." Krillian looked around to see Goku sitting on a sink with a bag in his hands. The toy stared up at him with a strange look. Krillian wasn't sure what that look was but he was sure that Goku actually felt disgusted by him. "I was getting a little worried that you wouldn't live."
"I'm still alive?" Krillian asked as he checked his body.
"Yeah, Vegita nearly killed you but we convinced him to let us handle it." Goku said as he tossed him the bag. "I found this in your pockets. It wasn't a weapon and it looked valuable to you."
Krillian nodded as he opened the bag and took out a small worn velvet box. "Thanks. I don't know where I got it but I thought it meant something to me." Krillian opened the box to reveal a small diamond ring. "Nice huh? I can't muster up the courage to sell it for some reason."
"Maybe you need it." Goku said as he stared at the ring. He knew what the ring was. It was the engagement ring that Krillian was going off to get to propose to Eighteen. Krillian finally mustered enough courage to get the ring but he hadn't proposed yet. If he had stayed for another half hour, he would've been one of the cursed objects now.
"Yeah, right, who would want to marry a short wimpy guy like me?" Krillian asked as he put away the ring. "I thought I was going to die. Why? Why did you save me?"
Goku stared at him and finally said, "Because you're not the type to kill. You have a good heart and a kind soul. I just couldn't understand why you want to assassinate Vegita like that."
"For respect." Krillian said, "I've been picked on all my life because I'm short. I thought if I can kill a royal Saiyan like Vegita, I'll be feared."
"You might be feared, but would you be respected?" Goku asked as he jumped off of the sink and climbed on top of the bed, "I'm short but I'm respected because I like myself. I don't do things for approval; I do things just because they are right."
"I know it's stupid of me to attack Vegita like that. I guess I didn't care if I live or die." Krillian sighed as he lay on the bed. "In fact, I wish Vegita would've just slit my throat. No one would care."
"Don't say that!" The dresser cried out.
Immediately, Krillian fell over and stared at the dresser. "You... you're alive?!"
"Yeah." Goku laughed nervously as he rubbed his head. "This is Eighteen, she's like me, only a woman."
"Er... hi." Krillian said as he came up and looked around for something to shake.
"Hello. What was that about no one caring whether you live or die?" Eighteen asked, almost frightened.
"I have no friends or family. My former fellow monks hate my guts so... I have no one." Krillian explained.
"You have me." The dresser whispered as she shook slightly.
"We can be your friends. If you allow us." Goku said, "I mean, I'm way shorter than you so how can I tease you?"
Krillian laughed as he sat down. "I see your point. But what will you do with me? Will I be stuck here for the rest of my life?"
"We'll talk about that tomorrow." Goku said, "You just rest and think about what you did."
"Thanks." Krillian nodded as Goku walked out. "Why do you care about me? I nearly killed your friend. How can you forgive me so easily?"
Goku just smiled and said, "I'm just the forgivable type. Just go to bed." He walked through the bars and away.
"Weird." Krillian sighed as he fingered the velvet box. "I never met anyone who is so nice to me before."
"Goku likes people." Eighteen said as she gazed at him. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I guess I am. I still have a headache from that blow." Krillian moaned as he rubbed his head.
"I see... I'll have someone bring some ice for you in the morning." Eighteen said as she opened a drawer. "You can have a pillow from my drawer."
Krillian came up and took a pillow. "Thanks... you're the first... woman who was nice to me in a very long time."
Eighteen just stared at him. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." Krillian fingered the velvet box. "I better sleep. Good night." He pulled a blanket over his body and fell asleep.
Eighteen watched him for the longest time and finally allowed herself to weep.
To Be Continued...